A PICK-IT-UP TALE.
To pick up things please don’t forget;
I’ve one more thing to tell you yet:
To pick up things you’ll form the habit,
If you are a well-mannered Rabbit.
One morning Aunt Etiquette came down stairs and found everything in
the living room in disorder. Healthy Bunny had thrown the newspapers
on the floor the night before, and Pretty Bunny had left faded
flowers in a vase.
Healthy Bunny had been on the sofa and the pillows were all upset.
Even the chairs in the room looked awkward, for they were not in
their usual places.
A few crumbs were also on the floor for Pretty Bunny had been
careless while eating a cookie, so Aunt Etiquette sat down in a
willow rocker and sighed and sighed.
When the Bunnies came down stairs they said, “What is the matter,
Aunt Etiquette?”
She must have waved a wand or said a magic verse for the newspaper
said in a crisp voice,
“I often made the remark before,
I don’t BELONG upon the floor’.”
Healthy Bunny picked up the newspaper in the twinkling of an eye, and
the faded flowers said,
“Don’t leave faded flowers around,
No telling by whom they’ll be found.”
Pretty Bunny threw the flowers out and washed the vase neatly, then
the pillows on the old couch said,
“Pick us up before you go to bed.”
The Bunnies gave them a great straightening and the furniture began
to sigh,
[Illustration: bunny in chair]
“Chairs in the corners, chairs in a row,
In the proper place each chair should go.”
My, how easily the chairs were put where they belonged and the
Bunnies then discovered the crumbs on the floor and used a carpet
sweeper, before another word could be said. Then Aunt Etiquette
smiled but said, “We are so late I will let you help get breakfast
and then I will read you a real ‘Pick-Up Story’.”
After breakfast Aunt Etiquette began the story of “Polly Pick-It-Up.”
She began,
“Once upon a time Polly wanted to go on a visit.”
“Was it a Polly Rabbit or a Polly Parrot?” asked Pretty Bunny.
Healthy Bunny said, “Was she going to make you a visit, Aunt
Etiquette?”
It was some time before Aunt Etiquette began her story again and the
Family Clock sang,
“Tick, tick tock, I am right,
To interrupt is not polite.”
Aunt Etiquette began once more,
“Once upon a time Polly wanted to go on a visit and she asked mother
who replied,
[Illustration: bunny looking a clock]
“Ask the old Family Clock,
Who always sings ‘Tick, tock’.”
At this point in the story Aunt Etiquette’s Family Clock pricked up
its ears to listen.
“Polly said politely to the clock, “May I go on a visit to-day?”
The Family Clock replied,
“The Family Clock would not mind,
If you’d use my key to wind.”
Polly took the hint and wound up the Clock who continued,
“Do look at the full Waste Basket,
Stop a minute, please, and ask it.”
So, Polly asked the Waste Basket, “May I go on a visit to-day?” The
basket replied,
“To anything I will agree,
If you’ll stop and empty me.”
Polly thought that a very broad hint, so she emptied the basket and a
new voice piped up,
“Who will pick up the centre table?
Polly dear, I think you’re able.”
Polly began to straighten the books and put the magazines in even
piles and put away the candy box. She picked up for herself and all
the family, and she heard a voice say,
“A duster makes old things just shine;
Polly Pick-It-Up, that is fine.”
So it went on all day long, everything called to Polly to pick it
up, and at evening mother said, “I don’t see how I could keep house
without Polly Pick-It-Up. It is such a comfort to come in and find
the living room in order.”
Father said,
“She shall have her visit, never fear,
Uncle Education is almost here.”
At that very minute there was heard the gallop of horses’ feet, and
in less time than it takes to tell it, Uncle Education stood in the
door-way, saying,
“I have just a minute to stay;
Will some one ride with me to-day?”
Every one wanted to ride with Uncle Education, of course, as he was
on horse back, but mother settled the matter by saying,
[Illustration: bunnies on horse]
“Polly Pick-It-Up should go,
She is the most helpful child I know;
She winds the Clocks and sets them right,
She picks up morning, noon and night,
She emptied out the old Waste Basket
Almost before it had time to ask it;
She tidies up the table too,
As you and I could also do,
And then she says, “I really must
Stop a while and dust and dust.
Polly Pick-It-Up has pluck,
So she deserves to have Good Luck.”
Polly Pick-It-Up was soon seated on the old horse’s back in front of
Uncle Education and they went trotting, trotting along.
At this very minute in the reading of the story Aunt Etiquette sat
still.
Pretty Bunny put her paw up to her ear to listen.
Healthy Bunny cried, “Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, I hear the “click,
click, click,” of horses’ feet, and they sound as though they were
coming nearer every minute.”
Sure enough, a horse was coming down the road, and, sure enough, it
stopped, and in a few minutes a Bunny was rapping, tapping on the
door. He carried a very sleepy Bunny and he bowed low and said,
“I’m starting on a short vacation;
My name is Uncle Education.
Polly Pick-It-Up, you see,
Naturally came along with me;
I am tired beyond a doubt,
For I teach year in, year out;
Long ago I think we met,
I hope you’re well, Aunt Etiquette.”
[Illustration: bunnies at table]
Pretty Bunny and Healthy Bunny stood with their mouths open, for it
was such a wonderful ending to a story. Polly Pick-It-Up made a bow
and said,
“Aunt Etiquette, ’tis thus I greet you,
I am very glad to meet you.”
Then, there was a great introducing all around, and the little
Bunnies went out to play. To their surprise another Bunny greeted
them and said,
“I often sing a little rhyme,
I am your friend, Teddy On Time.”
Then Pretty Bunny and Healthy Bunny cried,
“How do you do? How do you do?
The stories in that book are true;
Polly Pick-It-Up and Teddy On Time,
You are well known in every clime.”
Those four cute little Bunnies played ball until it was time for
dinner.